British Indian author Lakshmi Kaul’s debut book celebrates the childhood adventures of Hindu deities, encouraging families to preserve India’s rich storytelling traditions and pass them on to future generations.
Long before bedtime stories moved to screens and picture books, grandparents gathered children around them to recount the leelas, or divine adventures, of gods and goddesses. These tales introduced generations to values such as courage, kindness and wisdom while fostering a connection with their cultural heritage.
Reviving this tradition is the inspiration behind ‘Little Divine Ones: When Gods Were Children’, the debut book by Indian-British author Lakshmi Kaul. Designed for families to enjoy together, it encourages parents, grandparents and other storytellers to share India’s spiritual heritage with younger generations.
The project is deeply personal for Kaul, who has dedicated the book to her late daughter, Nainika, who died aged nine in the UK. Beyond retelling ancient narratives, she hopes to reconnect families and communities through the timeless practice of storytelling.
A lifelong connection to culture
Kaul has spent much of her career strengthening India-UK ties and supporting diaspora communities in maintaining their cultural connections. Her professional journey has included working as a political aide to Bob Blackman MP, leading the Confederation of Indian Industry’s UK activities and founding the Kashmiri Pandits Cultural Society UK.
After several years in India as senior vice-president at Mott MacDonald, she has returned to the UK as an author and publisher. She is now chief executive of Grin Media and a contributing editor at Global Order, while continuing to provide advisory services along the India-UK corridor.
Her longstanding interests in books, nature, cultural exchange and ancient wisdom converge in ‘Little Divine Ones’, reflecting her belief that stories can connect people across generations.
Ancient tales for young readers
Drawing on the Puranas, epics, regional folktales, temple traditions and oral narratives, the book introduces children to ten divine figures: Adi-Shakti, Shiva, Bala Ganesha, Bala Kartikeya or Skanda, Bala Rama, Bala Hanuman, Bala Parvati, Bala Saraswati, Bala Lakshmi and Bala Krishna.
Its central premise is that the gods and goddesses revered across generations were also children in these stories- curious, mischievous, courageous and full of love. Their adventures offer young readers an accessible introduction to familiar divine figures and the values embedded in their narratives.
The book also recognises the diversity of Hindu Sanātana traditions, where stories often have different versions across regions, families and communities.
Rather than claiming to present definitive accounts, Kaul explains that the narratives have been selected and retold in good faith, with reverence for their cultural and spiritual origins. Readers familiar with other versions are encouraged to share and cherish their own interpretations.
This approach reflects the book’s wider message: preserving tradition means keeping it alive through participation, conversation and retelling.
Passing the story forward
Kaul is taking the book beyond its pages through storytelling performances across the UK, including at schools, Diwali celebrations in Trafalgar Square, The Bhavan and The Nehru Centre in London.
Through her #PassTheStoryForward campaign, she hopes to revive oral storytelling within families and communities. The performances combine traditional narratives with classical dance, songs, lullabies, puppetry and contemporary interpretations of mantras incorporating rock influences. These different artistic forms aim to engage audiences across generations and make the stories accessible to new listeners.
As the festive season approaches, ‘Little Divine Ones’ offers families an opportunity to rediscover the joy of sharing stories. Whether a grandparent recounts a familiar tale or a child encounters a divine adventure for the first time, each retelling creates space for connection.
Ultimately, Kaul hopes the book will inspire children to recognise their own curiosity, courage and kindness in these divine childhoods, while encouraging adults to revisit stories that shaped their upbringing.
Through this collection, she hopes India’s timeless narratives will continue travelling from one generation to the next, keeping cultural traditions alive in homes and communities across the world.
